Eggs Benedict

Sep. 18, 2012

Waking up to a bowl of cereal or toast is nice and all, but you can’t really beat a hearty stick-to-your-ribs breakfast — especially if you don’t have to clean up afterward. Head to any of these local restaurants for eggs Benedict — served traditionally or with a twist — for a meal that’s sure fill you up until lunchtime.

El Banditos

327 E. Market St., Iowa City

Information: 358-2836

If you’re craving something a little spicier in the morning, look no further than El Banditos. The Banditos Benedictos ($10) comes with creamy, cheesy polenta filled with your choice of chorizo or spinach, topped with two poached eggs and smothered in a chipotle Hollandaise sauce. Yeah, we’re drooling, too.

Augusta Restaurant

101 S. Augusta Ave., Oxford

Information: 828-2252

Next time you’re lucky enough to find yourself at Augusta Restaurant in the morning, be sure to treat yourself to the rich crab Benedict ($16). Yummy crabcakes are topped with poached eggs over a housemade English muffin and covered in delicate Hollandaise sauce. Not in the mood for crab? Go for the housemade Canadian bacon instead.

Bluebird Diner

330 E. Market St., Iowa City

Information: 351-1470

Choose from three variations of eggs Benedict at the Bluebird Diner — classic ham ($8.75), Florentine with spinach and tomato (8.75) and crab cake ($10.75) — keep hungry breakfast-goers satisfied. All variations are served over a toasted English muffin, two poached eggs and a fresh, housemade Hollandaise sauce and a side of crispy hash browns. Assistant Manager Alexis Timm said that although the classic version is the most popular, the others are popular options for vegetarians. If you’re lucky, you’ll go on a day when they’re serving the Irish Benedict (8.75) — a frequent special — which features the diner’s corned beef. Yum.